Another Previous Column

Calhoun Park, according to Bob Brooks of Parks and Recreation, is in for a little make-up so-to-speak. Mr. Brooks says the park will have new flower beds by this fall. If this comes to pass, Calhoun Park will be the perfect venue for small attractions for our downtown area. One weekend could be devoted to antique vendors or produce vendors or music in the park or lunch on the lawn; there are numerous uses for the area and with the beautification project on the agenda, it will be even lovelier than it is now. And speaking of beautification projects, I hear we are acquiring yet another financial institution downtown or at the very least, more offices. I heard the landmark Ming Yats has been sold to someone who intends to build another bank. Yes, that is just what we need on “main street“, another bank to draw people to our downtown area. Maybe they will flock from miles away to view it bringing much needed dollars to our city. Or they could visit the ever expanding institutions up the street and increase our tax base in that way. One bright spot may be if the perfect person purchases Sno Cap and restores it to its original sock hop drive-in glory. Or, who knows, it could become another drive thru banking institution.
There are people who would like to form a downtown revitalization task force or downtown association to bring businesses to “main street” that will not only attract outside revenue but draw our citizens downtown to shop. There is so much to do downtown; bank, buy insurance, float checks, pawn titles, buy a little gas, get a good hamburger, visit the drug store, shop the one shop or go to church. Where and what is the attraction? Some people are thinking we need a really good home grown restaurant, home grown shops and things to see and do other than drive out Knox Avenue to see the replica of Washington Road. I love the fact that we have Lowe’s and some of the other stores on Knox. Heck, if we had Sam’s, Bed Bath and Beyond and Home Depot, I’d never have to leave North Augusta which brings me back to the original premise; a downtown revitalization task force. The Knox Avenue mile is great, but downtown draws no one and it should.
With the Buena Vista project in full swing, my neighborhood has seen quite an increase in traffic. Most of the drivers obey the speed limit and traffic signs but there are some who think this is their private raceway. So far as they are concerned there might as well not be a stop sign at the end of Lake or a thirty mile an hour speed limit. Thankfully NADPS is patrolling the area frequently which gives me hope that the future Richard Petty want to be’s will slow down or pay.
June 23rd is rapidly approaching and I am getting more and more excited about our NADPS appreciation day festivities. I am also very, very grateful to all those local businesses who opted to participate in this with us. I also hope that all of Public Safety will make an effort to come by for food, fun and prizes, after all we are doing it for them as a thank you for watching our backs every day of the year.